Trent Parke’s epic and personal body of work The Black Rose premiered to great acclaim at the Art Gallery of South Australia in March 2015. Created over seven years, the series explores universal themes – birth, death, love, loss, memory and the passing of time. It started out as a conversation with some of his fellow Magnum members on the concept of Home. Parke was inspired to understand his own story and to excavate his own histories, which had become buried under day-to-day life for many years. Despite the very personal nature of his investigation, Parke’s work reflects more broadly on our attempts to make sense of personal stories, dreams and chance. Stills Gallery is delighted to be able to present a selection of works from this significant series.

Parke is a storyteller who makes art out of everyday occurrences. His responses to daily life are raw, fast and intuitive. His understanding of the photographic medium is profound – whether it’s the nature of light and how it is rendered on film, the ability to anticipate an action before it occurs and be ready to capture it, or the recognition of the narrative and emotional potentials and of an image or group of images. In The Black Rose at AGSA Parke also included stories, diary entries and video works. Much like Life, the exhibition unfolded over time and space – revealing itself over a number of rooms, each with a particular theme, the universe, home, death etc., the viewer drawn to make their own connections between the images – the stark white face of a child, the dust strewn back of an ornate mirror, ants devouring a black butterfly. Each image builds upon another and the eye becomes alive to details and visual echoes.

Exhibition runs: October 7 – 14 November, 2015

Stills Gallery
36 Gosbell Street
Paddington NSW 2021
Australia

Hat Tip

In Theaters March 27th, 2015. Directed by Wim Wenders & Juliano Ribeiro Salgado

The blockbusters always get the hype, and some deservedly so, but which are truly the movies worth seeing in 2015? Let this countdown guide your way.

20. ‘Inside Out’
Directed by Pete Docter, Ronaldo Del Carmen
Starring: Amy Poehler, Diane Lane, Bill Hader, Mindy Kaling, Kyle MacLachlan, Lewis Black, Phyllis Smith
Release date: June 19, 2015

Pixar’s latest turns emotions into characters as Joy (Poehler), Fear (Hader), Anger (Black), Disgust (Kaling) and Sadness (Smith) rule the mind of young Riley, who’s uprooted from her life when her dad gets a new job in San Francisco. Helmed by Up director Pete Docter, Inside Out appears to have the smarts to please all audiences.

19. ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2′
Directed by Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Julianne Moore, Donald Sutherland
Release date: November 20, 2015

The Hunger Games films aren’t rewriting movie history but they are solid action films elevated by an all-time actress in an iconic role. These movies will be watched for generations. Don’t you want to see how it all ends? In the finale, Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence), dubbed “Mockingjay,” leads the revolution to victory or death against the Capitol.

18. ‘Spectre’
Directed by Sam Mendes
Starring: Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, Christoph Waltz, Monica Bellucci, Dave Bautista, Léa Seydoux, Ben Whishaw,
Release date: November 6, 2015

Bond 24 is steeped in high class espionage as 007 (Craig) discovers an evil organization known as SPECTRE. The Daniel Craig Bond films have all been worth seeing for the most part and Sam Mendes has brought needed credibility to the franchise. Watch out for Christoph Waltz in this one; he has a tendency to steal the show.

17. ‘Crimson Peak’
Directed by Guillermo Del Toro
Starring: Jessica Chastain, Charlie Hunnam, Tom Hiddleston, Mia Wasikowska,
Release date: October 16, 2015

The horror film of the year is also Guillermo Del Toro’s return to the genre. His story focuses on Chastain who plays a writer torn between two loves. Desperate, she tries to outrun her past, which brings her to a house that seems to live and breathe.

16. ‘Chappie’
Directed by Neill Blomkamp
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Sigourney Weaver, Sharlto Copley (as Chappie), Dev Patel, Ninja, Yo-Landi Visser
Release date: March 6, 2015

From District 9 and Elysium director Neill Blomkamp, Chappie is a unique-looking robot story in the director’s signature sci-fi style. Adopted by two criminals, a robot prodigy named “Chappie” tries to fit into the world but finds extreme resistance thanks to his unprecedented ability to “think and feel.” Finally, an adult version of WALL-E.

15. ‘The Martian’
Directed by Ridley Scott
Starring: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kate Mara, Kristen Wiig, Sebastian Stan, Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sean Bean
Release date: November 25, 2015

Any time Ridley Scott (Alien) goes to space, we must pay attention. This time he’s working off Andy Weir’s bestselling novel about a lone astronaut (Damon) stranded on Mars and his creative ways to survive.

14. ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon – The Green Legend’
Directed by Yuen Woo-ping
Starring: Donnie Yen, Michelle Yeoh, Harry Shum Jr., Jason Scott Lee
Release date: August 28, 2015 (Netflix & IMAX)

The Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon sequel replaces Chow Yun-Fat with Donnie Yen, but Michelle Yeoh returns as Yu Shu Lien 15 years after the original debuted. The story is based on another novel by Crouching Tiger author Du Lu Wang and the simple fact that fight choreography legend Yuen Woo-ping is directing gives the film instant credibility. Time will tell if Crouching Tiger director Ang Lee’s romance is missed.

13. ‘Sisters’
Directed by Jason Moore
Starring Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, John Leguizamo, Heather Matarazzo, James Brolin, John Cena, Dianne Wiest
Release date: December 18, 2015

We can thank longtime SNL writer Paula Pell for writing the script that finds Amy Poehler and Tina Fey playing sisters. The story is a simple one: The two siblings throw a huge party, something they always wanted to do, when they learn their parents are going to sell their childhood home.

12. ‘Black Mass’
Directed by Scott Cooper
Starring Johnny Depp, Kevin Bacon, Benedict Cumberbatch, Joel Edgerton, Sienna Miller, Dakota Johnson, Jesse Plemons, Juno Temple
Release date: September 18, 2015

Cooper, who directed Crazy Heart and the underrated Out of the Furnace in 2013, returns to heavy material here, taking on the story of Boston gangster Whitey Bulger (Depp). Bulger ran Boston in the ’70s as a lethal enforcer while also acting as an FBI informant. A great story plus a lot of talent should equal success.

11. ‘Midnight Special’
Directed by Jeff Nichols
Starring: Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, Adam Driver, Sam Shepard, Jaeden Lieberher
Release date: November 25, 2015

There will be a time when Jeff Nichols is finally recognized as one of America’s best filmmakers. Will it be this year? The Take Shelter and Mud writer/director is teaming up with Michael Shannon again, along with a talented cast, to tell the story of a father and son who go on the run after they learn the kid has super powers.

10. ‘Masterminds’
Directed by Jared Hess
Starring: Owen Wilson, Zach Galifianakis, Kristen Wiig, Devin Ratray, Jason Sudekis, Kate McKinnon, Ken Marino, Jon Daly
Release date: August 14, 2015

Based on the true story of a 1997 bank heist, Napoleon Dynamite director Jared Hess returns with one of the funniest-looking comedies of next year. The Wiig-Wilson-Galifianakis trio is dream team stuff and Hess never fails to get funny performances from his actors. Eastbound and Down legends Danny McBride and Jody Hill have co-writing credits as well.

9. ‘Joy’
Directed by David O. Russell
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Édgar Ramírez
Release date: December 25, 2015

The Russell, Lawrence, Cooper formula is just too good to abandon. The trio, who are responsible for two of the best comedies in the past decade, Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle, returns to tell the story of Long Island single mom Joy Mangano (Lawrence) who invented the Miracle Mop and became a millionaire with over 100 patents. Russell’s also on track to release the romantic comedy Nailed in 2015, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Jessica Biel.

8. ‘Silence’
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Starring: Liam Neeson, Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver
Release date: TBA 2015

Reuniting with his Gangs of New York writer Jay Cocks, who adapted Shûsaku Endô’s book, Martin Scorsese takes us to 17th century Japan where two Jesuit priests (Neeson, Garfield) find persecution when they try to spread the gospel of Christianity. Scorsese’s new project recalls his past work, Kundun and The Last Temptation of Christ, in subject matter and spirit.

7. ‘St. James Place’
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Starring: Tom Hanks, Billy Magnussen, Amy Ryan, Alan Alda
Release date: October 16, 2015

Joel and Ethan Coen co-wrote the new Spielberg movie starring Tom Hanks. If that sentence doesn’t excite you as a movie fan, we don’t know what will. St. James Place is story of The 1960 U-2 Incident and attorney James Donovan (Hanks), who travels to Soviet Russia for prisoner release negotiations.

6. ‘The Walk’
Directed by Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ben Kingsley, Charlotte Le Bon, James Badge Dale, Ben Schwartz
Release date: October 2, 2015

The true story of French tightrope daredevil Philippe Petit (Gordon-Levitt) and his incredible walk between the Twin Towers in New York City, 1974. Fans of the Oscar-winning documentary Man on Wire know the story well. It’s part incredible action and part heist film as Petit and his team smuggle their wire to the top of the towers and rig it in the dead of night.

5. ‘Jurassic World’
Directed by Colin Trevorrow
Starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jake Johnson, Judy Greer
Release date: June 12, 2015

Decades after the events of Jurassic Park, a fully functional Isla Nublar now exists and has been successful for a number of years. But declining attendance and corporate fat cats mandate a new attraction that backfires horribly. Written by the talented duo behind Safety Not Guaranteed, the new Jurassic film should be an exciting new chapter.

4. ‘The Hateful Eight’
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Channing Tatum, Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern
Release date: November 13, 2015

The new Tarantino movie is, like Django Unchained, a Civil War-era western. And as usual, the director has a vision. He’s collected another exciting cast of veteran actors to tell the tale of a group of eight bounty hunters, killers, and lawmen who come together in a common place and settle their differences.

3. ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’
Directed by Joss Whedon
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Tom Hiddleston
Release date: May 1, 2015

The Marvel movies keep getting better and you can expect the trend to continue in the Avengers sequel. The movie takes place in a post-S.H.I.E.L.D. world where the Avengers (at least partially) create a sentient being, Ultron, who turns on them and threatens to bring about the world’s end. Marvel fans should watch out for new villains, Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, and Tony Stark’s Hulkbuster armor also.

2. ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’
Directed by George Miller
Starring: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Zoë Kravitz, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Riley Keough
Release date: May 15, 2015

Original Mad Max director Miller returns for this reboot starring the great Tom Hardy, who is steadily becoming one of the biggest stars in the world. In a post-apocalyptic hell hole, survivors band together in search of oil, water, and survival. Marked by the style of the original and the photogenic desert that once was Earth, Fury Road looks to have been done right. And what a trailer…

1. ‘Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens’
Directed by J.J. Abrams
Starring: Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Gwendoline Christie, Lupita Nyong’o, Max von Sydow
Release date: December 18, 2015

For the first time, George Lucas is not creatively involved in a Star Wars film and the fanbase rejoices. J.J. Abrams has been anointed his successor and the director seems to have the pulse of the original franchise. Episode VII takes place 30 years after Return of the Jedi and uses real locations and scale models, not mass amounts of CGI.

Sweat-soaked sheets. Haunting hallucinations. Dream-time erotic impulses. Rousing to strange and unsettling surroundings—disoriented, disrobed and drenched—only to discover you have done the unthinkable again. Welcome to the Grimm’s Fairytale-esque world of a sexsomniac. TREATS! jumps into this shadowy sexual disorder that seems to be on the rise with a short film that is guaranteed to titillate and bewilder.

Director: Paul Minor
Creative Direction: Christianne Brooks
Cinematography: Matthias Koenigswieser
Producer: Steve Shaw
Makeup: Jo Baker
Styling: Vanessa Geldbach
Hair: Bernhard Tamme
Starring: Rebecca Dayan
Location: James F. Goldstein

‘Look Up’ – A spoken word film for an online generation.

‘Look Up’ is a lesson taught to us through a love story, in a world where we continue to find ways to make it easier for us to connect with one another, but always results in us spending more time alone.

Written, Performed & Directed by Gary Turk.

Featuring Louise Ludlam & Stuart Darnley.
Original score by New Desert Blues.
Sound engineering by Daniel Cobb.
Filmed and edited by Gary Turk.

Website | Twitter | New Desert Blues

See more of Krishna’s work here:www.krishnabalashenoi.com

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Continuing to reinforce its classification as the black TV network that isn’t referred to as a black TV network,VH1 has teamed up with filmmakers Billy Corben and Alfred Spellman and author, advertising executive, and record executive Steve Stoute for a 4-part documentary series based on Stoute’s best-selling book, The Tanning of America: How Hip-Hop Created a Culture That Rewrote the Rules of the New Economy.

To be titled The Tanning of America: One Nation Under Hip Hop, the 4-parter will give audiences what the press release describes as a thorough examination of hip-hop as a cultural movement, whose profound influence in music, film, television, fashion, business, race relations and politics eventually paved the way for the election of Barack Obama.

The 4-part 4-hour series will feature never-seen-before footage and interviews from numerous pop culture icons and entertainment personalities in America: Diddy, Dr Dre, Mariah Carey, Will.i.am, Russell Simmons, Pharrell, Nas,Reverend Run, Rick Rubin, Fab 5 Freddy, Jimmy Iovine, Al Sharpton, Cory Booker, Brett Ratner, Brian Grazer, Tommy Hilfiger, Ron Howard, Steve Stoute and many more.

The series will premiere on February 24, 2014 on VH1.

More from the release:

VH1’s “The Tanning of America: One Nation Under Hip Hop” provides a visual history of the hip-hopification of America – what Stoute calls “tanning” — from “The Jeffersons” to the Fresh Prince; from “Do the Right Thing” to “8 Mile”; from the streets of Compton to Madison Ave; from block parties to the Hamptons; and from rappers to entrepreneurs to icons. The series unfolds in 4 one-hour episodes that together explore history’s pivotal tanning moments from the 1970’s to present day, and show how hip-hop is deeply woven into the American cultural fabric. It’s the history of hip-hop remixed: an epic journey that begins in the Bronx and travels all the way to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Through engaging and intimate first person stories, “Tanning” takes viewers where they’ve never been before: inside a steamy Madison Square Garden, when Russell Simmons cut a deal with Adidas sneakers during a Run DMC concert… inside the Harvard dorm room where two white Jewish kids decide to start The Source magazine… inside the car of fashion icon Tommy Hilfiger, as he drives through the streets of Harlem finding inspiration in baggy jeans… to the streets of Paris as Diddy takes over Europe for a Vogue fashion shoot… to a New York music studio where Mariah Carey collaborates with O.D.B, forever fusing pop and hip hop; and with Dr Dre as he first hears a rapper who calls himself Eminem.

Over the last three decades, hip-hop culture has been transformed from an underground urban movement to mass culture, permeating virtually every aspect of American life: the music we listen to, the clothes we wear, the food we eat, the cars we drive. Hip-hop has done more to erase perceptions about racial distinctions for the generations that grew up exposed to it than any other force since the Civil Rights Movement. There’s now a whole generation of Americans who grew up immersed in this culture that are, for all intents and purposes, colorblind. This is the true story of that evolution.

Source

Manti Te’o girl friend hoax 

After such a long meaningless investigation by deadspin.com, it was made known that Notre Dames star linebacker Manti Te’o’s supposed girlfriend Lennay Kekua, who had died of cancer earlier in the year, had never existed. A family friend Ronalah Tulasosopo impersonated a female voice, sent photos that were fake and even created a false online social media persona. Te’o discovered that he had been the victim of the hoax before the championship against Alabama.

Alabama earned another championship 

Alabama won their third championship in four years by manhandling Notre Dame 42-14. Nick Saban was in glee in the locker room after the cameras were off.

Baltimore Ravens win Superbowl XLVII

The Ravens beat the 49ers in the Superbowl that featured a blackout in the stadium and a stoppage of play. Even though the lights in the Superdome were largely blacked out, Beyonce still tore up the halftime show.

Ray Lewis Retires

After 17 years in a Baltimore Ravens uniform, superstar linebacker Ray Lewis decided to hang up his helmet for good. He closed out his career with a bang wining his second Super Bowl. Thirteen Pro Bowls, Three time AFC Defensive Player of the Year and two SuperBowls? Not a bad career.

Jerry Buss dies

The safe made millionaire, David Buss purchased the Lakers in 1979 and transformed the NBA from sport to spectacle. With getting players on the Lakers like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant, his teams won a total of 10 championships.  David Buss died at the age of 80.

Jordan takes Kobe over LeBron 

Michael Jordan, now owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, told Ahmad Rashard in an interview, “If you had to pick between the two, that would be a tough choice.” Also adding, “But five beats one every time I look at it.” Of course, this was before James won his second title later in the year.

Louisville wins National Title

Michigan lost to Louisville in the NCAA Championship game. Louisville capped an impressive run of games. The Cardinals star player was even gone, Kevin Ware did not suite up due to a gruesome injury that happened earlier in the tournament.

Lance Armstrong admits to doping

Armstrong admitted to using performance enhancing drugs during all of his record seven Tour de France wins. His remaining sponsors scattered and its unclear what criminal and civil penalties Armstrong may face.

UConn Women win another Title 

The Huskies women’s basketball team defeated the Louisville Cardinals to hois their eight championship since Gino Auriemma began leading the team.

Heat win their second title in a row

The lights out shooter Ray Allen hit the miracle game winning shot that kept the Miami Heat alive in Game 6. Lebron had a 37 point and 12 rebound performance that also catapulted the victory in Game 7. The second title was a great finish after seeing the Heat go on a 27 game win streak, one of the longest in NBA history.

LeBron James receives fourth MVP trophy 

James won his fourth MVP award with a dominant performance statistically for the season. James averaged 26.8 PPG, 8 RB and shot .565 from the field. Also, winning the title may have had some leverage.

Murray makes history at Wimbledon 

After 77 years of pain, Andy Murray became the first British man since 1936 to win the men’s title at Wimbledon. He had a stunning victory over world number one Novak Djokovic.

Serena dominates 2013

With two Grand Slams, 11 titles and a about a trillion overall wins made 2013 one of the best years of Serena Williams already Hall of Fame worthy career.

Aaron Hernandez charged with murder, released by Patriots

The tight end of the New England Patriots Aaron Hernandez was charged with first degree murder of semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd. The rising NFL star was cut by the Pats, pled not guilty, and is being held without bond. Hernandez was charged also with perjury for allegedly lying to a grand jury.

Here comes the Hawks

The Chicago Blackhawks returned to Chicago with the Stanley Cup after beating the Boston Bruins for their second title in four seasons. The Hawks also set an NHL record with their 24 game point streak to open the season.

Pirates and Playoffs 

After 20 straight losing seasons, the Pittsburgh Pirates returned to the post season after defeating the Cincinnati Reds in the one game wild card play in. They did end up falling to the St. Louis Cardinals in the next round.

Redsox win it all 

One year after eating fried chicken and drinking bear in the locker room and having a disastrous 93 loss campaign, the Sox yet hoisted the Commisioner’s Trophy. Their third championship in the last decade. They went from worst to first.

Mariano Rivera hangs up his glove 

Mariano Rivera suffered a knee injury in 2012, then he decided he needed one more year to complete his career. He is considered to be one of Major League Baseball’s best closer ever. He received tributes and gifts from opposing teams as he came through town one final time.

Johnson wins again

Jimmie Johnson won the NASCAR championship again. This is his 6th championship, he is one short of Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt who both share the all time record. Johnson already holds the record with 5 straight championships.

Floyd Mayweather JR. defeats Canelo Alvarez 

Alvarez was defeated in the hands of Floyd Mayweather Jr.  The WBC and WBA super welterweight belts were on the line. With Jr. still being undefeated the controversial conversation of Mayweather being one of the best ever, still continue to grow.

Rose reinjured 

After returning from an ACL and MCL injury that forced him to miss the whole entire 2012-2013 season, Derrick Rose tore a meniscus during a game against the Blazers.  The former league MVP had to miss another season with this current injury.

Richie Incognito suspended, Jonathan Martin leaves team

Incognito, a lineman for the dolphins was suspended after a series of incidents, including the use of racial epithets, against teammate Jonathan Martin. While the details are still emerging, it’s still not clear if Martin or Incognito will return to the Dolphins or if any legal action will be initiated by Martin against Incognito.

Chris Davis runs it back for Auburn 

It has been hard to put in to words still even after weeks that has gone by. The 2013 Iron Bowl ended on a 109 yard run back of an Alabama field goal that fell just short. Perhaps the best football game of the year and some may argue ever.

10.  “The Worlds End”

The plot boils down to four guys getting completely wasted in order to stop the apocalypse.  It is one of the most mature films out, “Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy”. Even  “Hot Fuzz being packed with action and “Shaun of the Dead being very quotable, the emotional bond between the main characters in “The Worlds End” is stouter, richer and more full bodied.  This film captures the action and comedy that has not been seen since “Ghostbusters”.  The film also captures the feeling of what it’s like to grow up and grow apart from those you care about.

9. “World War Z”

With director Marc Forster last big budget effort being the worst James Bond movie ever everyone figured “World War Z” would be a disaster. However, the trailer of the film had an impressive tower of CGI zombies as the main selling point. Brad Pitt topped off an exciting and, most of all, scary undead surprise. The film was able to catch the audience off guard not only in the quality of the movie but in how it plays with scale, both large and small.

8. “Spring Breakers”

At first it was really hard to take James Franco serious playing such a weird role. Which is unusual of Mr. Franco to play anything but weird roles. The Film had misleading marketing that got people to see a better movie than what they expected.  ” Spring Breakers” is about people who talk a lot about being bad and what happens when they meet the real deal.

7. “Dallas Buyers Club”

“I prefer to die with my boots on,” Matthew McCaughey’s Ron protests as he goes against doctor’s orders. Jared Leto is searing and heart wrenching as Ron’s unlikeliest  of sidekicks.  The character in the film is battling HIV-AIDS.  Intuitive in all the right ways, “Dallas” flaunts its star’s most important performance to date

6. “12 Years a Slave”

This is a film in which everyone should watch at least once in their lives. We need to be reminded that not too long ago our country was filled with hate and acts of prejudice crimes. The story of Soloman Northup’s jouney from freedom to slavery and back again is almost unbelievable. It is hard to believe that it’s a story that is based on truthful events and a real person that went through these troubling times. Chiwetel Ejiofor portrays the character perfect with every stab of physical and mental anguish on his face. It is hard to deny him being worthy of any awards given to him for this role.

5. “Iron Man 3″

This is the third film that mascot Robert Downey Jr has played as the flamboyant Tony Stark. Which was able to gross around 1.2 billion in the box office. Marvel brought together a group of lesser known heroes and made such a success.  The film is the actually the big test that came immediately after the final exam that was the “Avengers”.

4. “The Hunger Games, Catching Fire”

One thing is for certain that fight to the death is not just for teens any longer.  Newcomers like Finnick and Johanna add interest, and the brewing revolution shot darkly through director Francis Lawrence’s lens does not hurt either. The good thing, even though there is newcomers the core characters Katniss, Peeta, Gale, Haymitch and Effie are back at it again. They say the film “Catching Fire” beat “The Hunger Games” at its own game.

3. “The Wolf of Wallstreet”

With his last film “Hugo” people were considering that Martin Scorsese had lost his edge with making great movies.  He definitely shut the critics up with this film.  This is the 5th film Scorsese has collaborated with Leonardo DiCaprio on and some say this is the best of all the other films. The film does run a bit long, and it could be seen as unintentionally glamorizing the reckless behavior it actually decries. It’s still the most potent jolt of pure cinema you’ll see this year

2. “American Hustle”

When first seeing the previews for “American Hustle” it drew my attention because of the cast being in full 70’s mode.  Their hair and makeup and clothes had to match the era of the 70’s.  The fans of David O. Russell will find plenty to love in the third of the directors unofficial trilogy called, “East Coast People Being Loud”. The first two movies of Russells Trilogy was “The Fighter” and “Silver Lining Playbook”.

1. “Gravity”

The question you must ask your self in regards to this excellent movies is, how do they make such a spectacular visual and pulse pounding thriller but yet, one of the most heartfelt and genuinely moving stories of the year.  We do know one thing, that the director  Alfonso Cuarón directed an excellent science fiction movie.  Sandra Bullock and George Clooney both are shown dangled like puppets in a closed box to simulate the motion of spinning off into space.  Great movie a true must see.